Austin Ekeler's presence has been sorely missed since the Washington Commanders placed the running back on injured reserve. A positive recent development represents a huge post-playoff boost for the franchise.
Ekeler hasn't been seen in a competitive setting since suffering a serious concussion against the Dallas Cowboys. The former undrafted free agent was brutally honest regarding the symptoms and how long they were felt after a devastating hit. This called into question his status for the remainder of 2024.
The Commanders have taken things slowly with Ekeler. Aside from the NFL's concussion protocol to navigate, player safety is high on this coaching staff's list of priorities. They've given the dual-threat weapon as long as he needs to fully recover. He's now got the green light to resume football activities.
Austin Ekeler's presence enhances the Commanders' playoff chances
Ekeler's 21-day practice window officially opened this week. The Western Colorado product was on the field with his teammates for the first time in weeks on Wednesday. Judging by head coach Dan Quinn's comments during his latest media availability, everyone was thrilled to get him involved once again.
"It’s great to have him back. We just got done with our walkthrough not long ago and he’s had great workouts, all the speed of everything, but just to have him back on the field today was really cool. There’s a spring in his step for sure and we’ll go through the whole process today, Wednesday’s, Thursday’s, Friday’s practice, but we’re really pumped to have him back out on the field."Dan Quinn
This remains a precarious situation. Ekeler's suffered two concussions this season, so erring on the side of caution is key. Relying on the player to provide clarity on how he's feeling in correlation with the medical assessments is the smart approach. If everything checks out, it won't be much longer before he suits up.
The Commanders are pushing to lock up the sixth seed during their regular-season finale at the Dallas Cowboys this weekend. Quinn's not going to rest players in pursuit of one final push. But where Ekeler is concerned, it's a luxury he can afford.
Washington's ground game hasn't been the same since Ekeler went to the shelf. They are relying much too heavily on rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and there is no genuine pass-catching outlet out of the backfield. When the competition gets tougher and the margins get finer in the playoffs, he'll be a major asset to call upon.
That's what the Commanders should be aiming for. Putting Ekeler out there in Week 18 doesn't seem likely. It could happen, but keeping the bigger picture in mind is crucial.
The Commanders need Ekeler to be fit and firing when the knockout rounds begin. He's experienced enough to perform well without reps beforehand. Jeopardizing his postseason involvement despite the need to cement their sixth spot is a complex conundrum for Quinn and his staff.
Ekeler is probably chomping at the bit to get into the mix and help after so long away from the gridiron. But if he has to wait another week before being unleashed in the playoffs, that's fine too.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly listed Colorado State as Austin Ekeler's college.